Ashok Leyland bags Rs 150 crore deal for 180 e-trucks

Ashok Leyland, the flagship commercial vehicle manufacturer of India’s Hinduja Group, on Monday, in partnership with Billion Electric Mobility — a subsidiary of the BillionE Group — unveiled a new fleet of electric trucks, marking a significant move in the country’s nascent electric vehicle (EV) sector. The models launched include the AVTR 55T Electric, BOSS 19T Electric, and BOSS 14T Electric.

Ashok Leyland’s electric truck orderbook, consisting of 180 units, is valued at approximately Rs 150 crore, including both the BOSS electric trucks and 55T electric tractors. Deliveries are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, according to the company.

Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director and CEO of Ashok Leyland, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “This could very well be the country’s largest order of electric trucks.” He also noted that production will be scaled gradually at the company’s upcoming modular facility in Hosur.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder and CEO of Billion E-Mobility and ChargeZone, discussed the broader vision behind the partnership. His company is positioning e-mobility as a service, with potential applications for industries such as FMCG, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering along intercity routes. "The objective is not about immediate cost savings but achieving cost parity with diesel,” Hariyani said, emphasising the importance of reducing India’s dependency on oil imports. He explained that with the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles steadily declining, achieving parity with traditional fuels is within reach.

Addressing the challenges related to EV charging infrastructure, Hariyani noted that the often-cited "chicken and egg" dilemma is being tackled.

His company is establishing a network of "supercharging stations" spaced 100-150 kilometers apart along key highways, with plans to expand the network to cover over 5,000 kilometers of road in the coming years.

The chargers, he explained, are capable of fully recharging electric trucks in just 60 minutes, allowing drivers to recharge while on their mandatory rest breaks.